This is where I feel totally in awe of organisations, institutions and individuals that in their own way spot and promote young talent, showing faith in the calibre of artists not yet discovered by the wider world, and giving them a platform that will be of far greater service to their confidence to move forward than any number of lakhs and crores in later years.

A Special Platform

As I browse through the works selected for the Artscapes 2025 exhibition, I get goosebumps and the same sense of wonder that I have always felt — here is another of those rare moments when faith is being put on artists whose careers will take on a different hue post this exhibition. Whether they ultimately achieve what they are setting out to, is in the realm of future, but this group of artists has been given a great platform, courtesy Artscapes, that will definitely add heft to their experience and stand them in good stead as a building block of their professional life.

This is the 11th Annual All Women Artists Contemporary Art Exhibition, to be held at the Punjab Kala Bhawan in Chandigarh. The very fact that the exhibition is in its 11th year is a testament to the success of the concept, and to the perceptive and fruitful organising skills and perseverance of Suraj Mukhi Sharma and Simrat Bhullar Sharma. It began as a national exhibition but with entries coming from beyond India’s borders, it expanded on its own, organically, testifying to the popularity of the initiative with artists from far and wide.

Seeking validation is an innate aspect of human psyche, and therefore, no matter how confident a young artist is about their work, they would always seek acceptance, applause and approval from the larger society. This is where platforms such as Artscapes assume significance, because by choosing artists for their annual exhibition on the basis of merit, they provide them the much needed public recognition, a reaffirmation in their talent, a stepping stone to other varied achievements in public sphere.

Art Trends

The exhibitions such as the upcoming 11th Annual All Women Artists Contemporary Art Exhibition, by virtue of their nature and composition, become a crucible for spotting the most current trends in contemporary art, almost like a pointer to the direction that art is going to take in near future. The most heartening aspect of this selection is the range of geographical diversity that it represents. There is hardly a part of India that has not found representation in the list of selected artists.

It is indeed heartwarming that artists from non-traditional art centres have found space in this exclusive selection, pointing to the broadening of the aesthetics of modern Indian art beyond the metropolitan cities. Alongside artists from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Pune, are featured artists from Tier II and Tier III cities (and even much smaller centres) such as Chandigarh, Bhopal, Agra, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolhapur, Surat, Mathura, Patiala, Thrissur, Panipat, Ambala, Aurangabad, Imphal, Tiruvannamalai, Ernakulum, among several others. This points to increased acceptance of the arts in the country in general and enhanced infrastructure as well for them to be able to pursue it professionally.

Participants from California, Dubai, and Katowice in Poland attest to the international appeal of the exhibition.

Apart from the geographical diversity, it’s the sheer range of mediums, genres and styles on offer that mesmerises. Women artists — both professionals and students — are truly pushing the envelope of modern art as is amply evident through the works on display. Perfected skill sets are an established fact in all the selected works as is the control over line, medium and the contours of the subject. What is worth noting is the treatment of the subject through a cutting-edge vocabulary, which shows that the artists have tried hard to think out-of-the-box and create something new, something original.

Even though some works evoke the well-known stylistic languages of modernist and post-modernist art of the previous century, it cannot be helped as modernism is still not dead, and post-modernism continues to segue itself with contemporary art. Conceptual, socially-engaging and tech-driven art — even post-internet art — is the most prominent trend in the world of art today, of which we some good examples in this selection. I shy away from taking names of only a few artists in a group comprising multiple great works but cannot help and point out a few examples for the benefit of the readers. Astha Tiwari’s Trapped, for instance, is a comment on the boxed lives of our times, whereas Greeshma C’s Continuum 30 makes a strong statement on the lives of women. Babita Das’ Together Is Strength uses a forceful abstractionist language, while Bharti Kaushik’s Sangharsh deftly uses the metaphor of knitting needles and balls of wool to speak of internal struggles that the owner of those things may endure. Gomathi Sivasubramanian’s The Met is a postmodernist eye on the stillness of a museum alive with art admirers engaging with works of art. Gunjan Dhillon’s endearing woodcut on paper, Mother and Child, is evocative of the woodcuts of the previous century, most notably Chittaprosad. Naina Somani’s woodcut on canvas, Fish Light Dinner, presents a harmonious blend of the technique with the genre of surrealism. The list can go on, and in fact, must go on, because even those who have not been mentioned here have presented works that exude serious thought and dexterous application of that thought.

A word on the materiality explored in the exhibition as well… In an age when boundaries have been pushed in terms of what constitutes the medium of art, its reassuring to see artists investing innovation in traditional mediums such as painting on canvas and paper, woodcuts, ceramics, photography, stone and stoneware, terracotta, brass, fiberglass, and more.

All About Women

One word about the relevance of an exhibition only comprising women. Many women artists, most notably veteran artist Anjolie Ela Menon, have spoken in public against being classified as ‘a woman artist’, with the refrain that male artists are never referred to as ‘a man artist.’ Menon has a point. In all fields of life, true equality between the genders would be reached only when the need to give a special category to women will cease to exist. But just as in society in general, so as in arts, it’s a male dominated world. Dynamics have been changing, and at a pretty rapid pace in the past few decades, but we are far from being an equal society. In fact, women continue to be vulnerable to extraneous forces inherent in a male-dominated world, even if they have successfully breached glass ceilings. The equality is missing from the art world too even though it may fare better than most other walks of life in terms of opportunities, acceptance, and male attitude. That is why, women artists still need this special support because the universe of art is only one aspect of their lives; there are other aspects that still need a lot of catching up to do and have a direct bearing on the artistic practice of women.

By giving women artists this exclusive platform, Artscapes is providing them a much-needed stepping stone, a sort of paternal hand behind their back, to go out and claim their place fearlessly. It will go a long way in imbuing them with confidence to do what they want to do with their creativity.

I extend the selected artists and the organisers the very best wishes, not just for this edition of the exhibition but for all their future endeavours. Hopefully, for all of them, this will be an association that will always carry a lingering fragrance of new, fruitful beginnings, whichever path they choose to walk on in the years ahead.

*The writer is a New Delhi-based arts journalist, critic and curator. She has more than 20 years’ experience writing on the arts for the Hindustan Times, the India Today Group, and the Times of India. For six years, she was the co-Group Editor of New York-based magazines, Art + Auction, and Modern Painters. Her last curated show was ‘Bimal Das Gupta: An Ode to a Legend’, which was accompanied by an eponymous book edited by her.

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I was genuinely impressed by the high level of professionalism and creativity demonstrated by participants across both senior and student categories. It’s remarkable to note that over 900 entries were received from across the country, from which 127 were shortlisted. Of these, 45 outstanding works were selected for final evaluation, and I had the honour of presenting awards and certificates to 20 exceptionally talented artists.

What stood out most was the passion and commitment evident in every piece of art. These women are not only creators but cultural torchbearers, using their art to express identity, challenge norms, and inspire dialogue. The fact that the submissions and awards came from various cities and states across India is a reflection of the incredible abundance of talent that exists, often waiting to be discovered and celebrated.

I truly hope that more private institutions, NGOs, and organizations like Artscapes continue to champion such causes. Encouraging women artists isn’t just about supporting individual careers—it’s about nurturing a more inclusive and vibrant cultural landscape. By empowering women through art, we empower communities and future generations to dream, create, and lead . I extend my sincere best wishes to Artscapes for continued success in its future endeavours, not only in promoting women artists but in fostering the growth and recognition of artists across all disciplines.

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What makes Artscapes truly special is its deep commitment to nurturing the inner sensibility of not just the artists, but also the viewers. It invites art lovers, collectors, and connoisseurs into a space that resonates with passion and soul. Here, in the heart of Chandigarh, creativity thrives — touching minds and hearts, inspiring conversations, and building bridges between tradition and innovation.

I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes for Artscapes’ continued success. May it keep nurturing dreams, inspiring talent, and enriching the global art scene with the brilliance of women’s creative voices.

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